I think everyone would like to know how to measure it. I sure as heck don't. Some think you can measure ID or OD on a sized case to determine it, but I beg to differ. You cannot measure the elasticity of the neck, and that is what you'd need to know in addition to any measurement of dimension. I think the best you can do is anneal your cases every third firing or so.

But wait...now I recall some kind of gadget you can use to measure the effort required to seat a bullet. I guess if you're anal enough to screen or sort handloads based on that, you might get somewhere. Personally, not for me. We all have a limit as to how far we'll go and that is beyond my limit.

.22-250 -H-Varget

6.5 Creedmoor -H-4350

7mm-08 -H-Varget

.308 Win -H-Varget, IMR 8208

7 Rem Mag -H-Retumbo

.300 Win Mag -H-1000 (friend I load for)

All loaded on a Chargemaster, and all have an ES of 20 or less for five consecutive shots. I agree with Chad that powder charge is "the" most important factor, and I agree that a load accurate to the kernel is better than a load accurate to .1 gr. I would have a scale that was accurate to the kernel if I could afford it.

But my theory is that because I ladder test, followed by group shots at 300-500 yards, every rifle, I find a load that allows me the .1 gr swing and still shoot well. The ladder test and Chargemaster have produce very tiny groups when punching paper, as well as have hit center day in and day out every week of the year, at short, medium, and long range.

I make the scale I have work for me.

I'll say again, if I could afford a Prometheus I would have one. But land, range, tractor, skidsteer, implements, office to build, ect. means that money is better spent elsewhere.

That it's exactly how you dio it....21st Century and K&M both make an arbor press with pressure gauges on them. I have both and they work great and equally as well.

I'm convinced it, measuring powder charges to.02 and annealing after every firing help me be competitive. Not everyone needs to go through all that though.

I was not able to find the MXX-123 scale, would anyone lead me to the right place to look on the net for a .02 scale on a 400 to 600 dollar budget? I just cannot afford the Prometheus. Thanks

FJG,
use the Chargemaster to throw 0.2 gr under and then finish with an Omega trickler and a Redding beam. It is sensitive to the kernal with Varget and quick too. Using the beam is eye opening in showing the inconsistency of the Chargemaster scale, which can drift up to 0.3 over a session of even just 50 - 100 rounds.
With any of these scales or beams, watch out for A/C vent drafts which definitely effects the measurements.

Big Stan - Check out the AND FX-120i...If you order from Cambridge in Canada and catch the exchange rates when they are favorable you can get it under $500. I really like mine, it's been a great scale.

I need to buy a beam scale anyway. Never have owned one. I half wanted it for prepper purposes. Don't need any electricity, at all to load ammo that way. I have a Redding trickler, and I thought it was a good tool. I may do what you suggested just for competition purposes. It'll really slow down the loading process, but it'll produce slightly more consistent ammo.


Or just go to Judd's house and use his Prometheus.

Thanks Judd, its on order.

Here's how I load my single stage ammo and the powder within .02 grains. This shows my set up and how I load my custom ammunition with my single stage set up. This was our first video take and I'm thinking I want to redo it to smooth it out in a few spots.

Real nice Chad. Thanks